Astros' broadcaster Bill Brown, left, presents former Astros' pitcher J.R. Richard with a replica of his plaque on the Walk of Fame on the Texas Avenue sidewalk outside of Minute Maid Park on Friday.

Astros' broadcaster Bill Brown, left, presents former Astros' pitcher J.R. Richard with a replica of his plaque on the Walk of Fame on the Texas Avenue sidewalk outside of Minute Maid Park on Friday.

Photo: Melissa Phillip / Chronicle

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Plaque for former Astros' pitcher J.R. Richard on the Walk of Fame seen on the Texas Avenue sidewalk outside of Minute Maid Park on Friday.

Plaque for former Astros' pitcher J.R. Richard on the Walk of Fame seen on the Texas Avenue sidewalk outside of Minute Maid Park on Friday.

Photo: Melissa Phillip / Chronicle

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Former Astros' pitcher J.R. Richard listens as Astros' broadcaster Bill Brown talks about his induction into the Walk of Fame on the Texas Avenue sidewalk outside of Minute Maid Park on Friday.

Former Astros' pitcher J.R. Richard listens as Astros' broadcaster Bill Brown talks about his induction into the Walk of Fame on the Texas Avenue sidewalk outside of Minute Maid Park on Friday.

Photo: Melissa Phillip / Chronicle

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Former Astros' pitcher J.R. Richard reveals his spot on the Walk of Fame on the Texas Avenue sidewalk outside of Minute Maid Park on Friday.

Former Astros' pitcher J.R. Richard reveals his spot on the Walk of Fame on the Texas Avenue sidewalk outside of Minute Maid Park on Friday.

Photo: Melissa Phillip / Chronicle

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Former Astros' pitcher J.R. Richard speaks after his induction into the Walk of Fame on the Texas Avenue sidewalk outside of Minute Maid Park on Friday.

Former Astros' pitcher J.R. Richard speaks after his induction into the Walk of Fame on the Texas Avenue sidewalk outside of Minute Maid Park on Friday.

Photo: Melissa Phillip / Chronicle

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Former Astros pitcher J.R. Richard throws out the first pitch.

Former Astros pitcher J.R. Richard throws out the first pitch.

Photo: Eric Christian Smith / For the Chronicle

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J.R. Richard returns, throws out ceremonial first pitch

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J.R. Richard was his trademark mix of humility and brashness Friday upon being inducted into the Astros Walk of Fame at Minute Maid Park.

The pitching great from the 1970s whose rising career was cut short by a devastating stroke in 1980 took his place next to Bob Aspromonte and the club’s retired number honorees and Hall of Fame broadcasters.

He spoke briefly and fought back some tears while unveiling his plaque commemorating his 107 wins and 1,493 strikeouts with the Astros.

Later in the comfort of air conditioning, he reminisced about his best moments with the team and mending the relationship over time after the bitterness of his release and what he felt was a failure to properly diagnose a serious condition.

He corrected a question about being one of the dominant pitchers of his era, saying: “I can recall what it was like for me when I was the most dominant pitcher, not ‘one of.’ ”

Former Astros president Tal Smith was also an admirer.

“He was the most dominating and intimidating pitcher of his era,” said Smith, adding that for one game he really needed, he would pick Richard over Bob Gibson and Sandy Koufax.

The Astros wore their 1970s rainbow jerseys as part of Flashback Friday, and Richard threw out the ceremonial first pitch.

Teams prepare differently now

Of all the changes to the draft rules that teams are trying to decipher in preparation for Monday, the under-the-radar shift that might have an impact on the Astros is the outlawing of major league contracts to drafted players.

In years past top players like Nationals No. 1 picks Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper and 19-year-old Orioles pitching phenom Dylan Bundy signed major league deals straight out of the draft.

The deals covered multiple years of salary and gave the player a spot on the 40-man roster right away, forcing the team to use options right away. No more under the new collective bargaining agreement. Just one signing bonus to be negotiated under the framework of the team’s allotted bonus pool for the first 10 rounds.
Norris on track to make return

Brad Mills said Bud Norris remains on track to make his next scheduled start a day after pitching through a hip flexor injury.

<b><center>June 1: Reds 4, Astros 1</b></center> Astros pitcher J.A. Happ walks back to the dugout after striking out to end the second inning against the Cincinnati Reds, Friday, June 1, 2012 at Minute Maid Park in Houston. less

<b><center>June 1: Reds 4, Astros 1</b></center> Astros pitcher J.A. Happ walks back to the dugout after striking out to end the second inning against the Cincinnati Reds, Friday, June 1, 2012 at Minute Maid ... more

Photo: Eric Christian Smith / For the Chronicle

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Cincinatti Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips (4) celebrates his run scored with teammates during the first inning against the Houston Astros, Friday, June 1, 2012 at Minute Maid Park in Houston.

Cincinatti Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips (4) celebrates his run scored with teammates during the first inning against the Houston Astros, Friday, June 1, 2012 at Minute Maid Park in Houston.

Photo: Eric Christian Smith / For the Chronicle

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Carlos Lee (right) of the Houston Astros jokes with Cincinatti Reds first baseman Joey Votto during the second inning, Friday, June 1, 2012 at Minute Maid Park in Houston.

Carlos Lee (right) of the Houston Astros jokes with Cincinatti Reds first baseman Joey Votto during the second inning, Friday, June 1, 2012 at Minute Maid Park in Houston.

Photo: Eric Christian Smith / For the Chronicle

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Houston Astros left fielder J.D. Martinez connects for a single to load the bases in the second inning against the Cincinnati Reds, Friday, June 1, 2012 at Minute Maid Park in Houston.

Houston Astros left fielder J.D. Martinez connects for a single to load the bases in the second inning against the Cincinnati Reds, Friday, June 1, 2012 at Minute Maid Park in Houston.

Photo: Eric Christian Smith / For the Chronicle

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Houston Astros first baseman Carlos Lee gestures towards first base coach Bobby Meacham during the second inning against the Cincinnati Reds, Friday, June 1, 2012 at Minute Maid Park in Houston.

Houston Astros first baseman Carlos Lee gestures towards first base coach Bobby Meacham during the second inning against the Cincinnati Reds, Friday, June 1, 2012 at Minute Maid Park in Houston.

Photo: Eric Christian Smith / For the Chronicle

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Former Houston Astros pitcher J.R. Richard throws out the first pitch before the start of a MLB game bwtween the Houston Astros and the Cincinnati Reds, Friday, June 1, 2012 at Minute Maid Park in Houston.

Former Houston Astros pitcher J.R. Richard throws out the first pitch before the start of a MLB game bwtween the Houston Astros and the Cincinnati Reds, Friday, June 1, 2012 at Minute Maid Park in Houston.

Photo: Eric Christian Smith / For the Chronicle

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Houston Astros first baseman Carlos Lee (left) watches the action from third base with the bases loaded as Cincinnati Red pitcher Mike Leake follows through during the second inning of their MLB game, Friday, June 1, 2012 at Minute Maid Park in Houston. less

Houston Astros first baseman Carlos Lee (left) watches the action from third base with the bases loaded as Cincinnati Red pitcher Mike Leake follows through during the second inning of their MLB game, Friday, ... more

Photo: Eric Christian Smith / For the Chronicle

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Houston Astros pitcher J.A. Happ warms up before the Astros' game against the Cincinnati Reds, Friday, June 1, 2012 at Minute Maid Park in Houston.

Houston Astros pitcher J.A. Happ warms up before the Astros' game against the Cincinnati Reds, Friday, June 1, 2012 at Minute Maid Park in Houston.

Photo: Eric Christian Smith / For the Chronicle

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Hosuton Astros pitcher J.A. Happ delivers a pitch to the Cincinatti Reds in the first inning, Friday, June 1, 2012 at Minute Maid Park in Houston.

Hosuton Astros pitcher J.A. Happ delivers a pitch to the Cincinatti Reds in the first inning, Friday, June 1, 2012 at Minute Maid Park in Houston.

Photo: Eric Christian Smith / For the Chronicle

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Cincinatti Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips connects for a one-run double in the first inning against the Houston Astros, Friday, June 1, 2012 at Minute Maid Park in Houston.

Cincinatti Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips connects for a one-run double in the first inning against the Houston Astros, Friday, June 1, 2012 at Minute Maid Park in Houston.